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“Tuloy po Kayo” is Filipino for “welcome” and the mural depicts the history of the Filipino people. In the center, a balangay (boat) and araw (sun) represent the significance of the Filipino peoples’ ancient sea-faring and their overseas immigration to the US. The poles of the balangay form a star-shape and when viewed with the two star-shaped parol lanterns at each end of the mural, the stars and sun evoke the Filipino flag. The parol lanterns themselves are important symbols of light and blessings, evoking holiday traditions widely celebrated among Filipinos: here in SOMA, the annual Parol Festival brings thousands to Jessie Square each December. As a nod to ancient literacy and the importance of education, the mural’s bottom edge contains the baybayin alphabet, a pre-colonial written language of early indigenous Filipinos – a western translation is also included.

This mural was painted with the help of artists Miguel Bounce Perez, Thavin Rajanakhan, Oree Originol, James Ganyan Garcia, and Robert Trujillo. It was sponsored by Kularts, Inc., the Galing Bata bi-lingual school program, and the Filipino Education Center/Bessie Carmichael School with funding from the Yerba Buena Community Benefit District.